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Pittsburgh-Area Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Runs 10s First Time Out

This past weekend, 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat owner Ricci Cavallaro took his stock Mopar muscle car to Pittsburgh Raceway Park for the first time and with nothing more than Nitto NT05 tires, his first run down the track was an incredible 10.97 at 129 miles per hour – followed by two more runs in the 10 second range.

As the warm weather spreads around the United States, more drag strips are opening and one of those tracks is Pittsburgh Raceway Park (PRP) in Pennsylvania. 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat owner and long-time Mopar fan Ricci Cavallaro took his new supercharged muscle car to PRP this past weekend and with excellent weather conditions and a well-prepped track, Cavallaro was able to get down the track in the 10-second range on his first ever attempt.

Now, it should be noted that Ricci Cavallaro is not a professional driver, but he is a very experienced drag racer, having spent 18 years racing his 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, which ran in the low 10 second range. It should also be noted that the management team at Pittsburgh Raceway Park pride themselves in the quality of the launch area. I grew up racing at PRP and I’ve made around a thousand passes down this track, so I can state without doubt that the starting line is as well-prepped as any in the country.

In other words, we have a very good driver, a very good track surface and very good weather conditions, allowing this 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat to get into the high 10s on Cavallaro’s first run down the track.

The Details on Cavallaro’s Challenger
Ricci Cavallaro’s 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is the gorgeous black beast shown above with reflective metallic decals that almost disappear in dim light. When he took his 707hp Mopar to the track last weekend, the only modification was that he had removed the stock wheels and tires, replacing them with a set of Nitto NT05 tires measuring 305/45/r18 on 18 inch Bravado Tribute wheels. Everything else about the car is as stock as it was when it came off of the assembly line.

On his first ever pass down the track in the 2015 Hellcat Challenger Cavallaro pulled a 1.67 60 foot time and ran a stunning 10.97 at 129.05 miles per hour. The video below shows that first run as he stomps a stock looking Jeep Grand Cherokee. On this run, the Hellcat Challenger pulled an awesome 3 second flat 0-60 and 7 seconds to get to 100.

On the second run, Cavallaro took to the track in an effort to improve on his first run and this time, Ricci got off of the line even quicker – pulling a 1.63 60 foot time and stopping the timer at the big end at 10.93 seconds. The trap speed dipped to 127, but this was his quickest ET of the day. The video below shows run #2.

Technical issues prevented a third video, but Cavallaro finished up with another 10.97, that time with a trap speed of 129.65 miles per hour.

Real World 10s
The bottom line here is that with good air, a good driver and a good set of tires – the 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat is capable of repeated 10 second quarter mile times, as proven by experienced sportsman racer Ricci Cavallaro.

Best of all, while speaking with Cavallaro about his 10 second runs, he explained that he believes that there is plenty more left in the car. He plans to make more trips to the track, making adjustments in the different suspension settings and shift points with the hopes of putting his 707hp Mopar muscle car even further into the 10s. In the meanwhile congrats on proving that the new Hellcat Challenger is far more than just media fluff, as this is proof that the new Dodge coupe can back up its impressive claims in the real world.

Comments

Roy Rose (not verified)    April 22, 2015 - 3:57PM

In reply to by Ricci Cavallaro (not verified)

You did a GREAT job showing what the new Hellcat can do .Ive heard so much flack about how big and heavy ,this should put that to rest.I just received mine few weeks ago .Ive got 1000 miles on it now ,Im ready to start playing also .Great Job

Ricci Cavallaro (not verified)    April 23, 2015 - 10:23PM

In reply to by Roy Rose (not verified)

Thank you! I had just over 1,000 miles when I hit the track. Love this car! All I wanted is a 10 second slip by the end of the year, and got it first pass ever! Just have a big ole grin on every time you drive it...Good luck and have fun!

Tom Mc Fadden (not verified)    April 22, 2015 - 7:12AM

I can't wait till mine comes in..................torture waiting for this bad boy............B5 Blue Pearl..........

Dave Petersen (not verified)    April 26, 2015 - 3:39PM

Ricci, congrats on your car! She's beautiful! Mine will soon be delivered. I love your SRT Hellcat decal and was wondering if you would mind giving up who made it? I would love to have one for my car. I'm on the West coast so I'm sure nobody else you know would see it:) any help would be appreciated. I'm even willing to change it up some so they are both original. Thanks again. Dave

Ricci Cavallaro (not verified)    April 27, 2015 - 11:38AM

In reply to by Dave Petersen (not verified)

I thought I replied but my new phone is not working properly. I had a local graphic co. Creekside Graphics do it for me. Any local one by you should be able to do it. Only suggestion, if you go with reflective vinyl let the pros install it! Good luck with your cat!

Roy Rose (not verified)    April 30, 2015 - 10:48AM

I was wondering what width rear wheel did you use and how much air were you running in rear tires , I raised my car , look like the plastic wheel well will need to be trimmed or pulled back some toward rear of car ?Thanks for your help

Ricci Cavallaro (not verified)    April 30, 2015 - 2:43PM

In reply to by Roy Rose (not verified)

10" wheel. Yes that was close! I took a large wire tie and drilled two little holes about 1" apart or so in the plastic, then ran it through the frame to keep it pulled back. Used black so can't even see it and cheap to replace that plastic piece if ever needed

Ricci Cavallaro (not verified)    April 30, 2015 - 2:50PM

In reply to by Roy Rose (not verified)

10" wheel. Yes that was close! I took a large wire tie and drilled two little holes about 1" apart or so in the plastic, then ran it through the frame to keep it pulled back. Used black so can't even see it and cheap to replace that plastic piece if ever needed

Bill (not verified)    June 4, 2015 - 3:07PM

Hi Ricci. I was wondering if you had a part number for those wheels that you man at the slicks on I also have a Dodge hellcat which I hope to be running soon at Maple grove dragway and Pennsylvania your help would be appreciated thank you..